By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra displayed its defensive prowess in the final frame and cruised to a 115-96 victory over Converge to remain in contention for the quarterfinals bonus in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Taking control for much of the contest, the Kings clamped down on the defensive end and forced the FiberXers to consecutive turnovers to fuel the deciding rally and close out the eliminations with a 9-3 record.
The win allowed Ginebra to keep its hopes for the twice-to-beat advantage alive while putting the pressure on Magnolia, which now needs to win its game against Rain or Shine to secure the second seed and the incentive.
Justin Brownlee flirted with another triple-double of 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists while Jamie Malonzo added 17 points built on three triples. Japeth Aguilar added 16 points and five rebounds while LA Tenorio added 14.
Earlier, the NLEX Road Warriors climbed back from a huge 18-point hole to pull the rug from under the Meralco Bolts, 92-81, and stay in contention for a playoff spot.
NLEX unleashed a massive fourth quarter rally that ultimately turned things around to end the elimination with a two-game win streak and improve to a 5-7 record in the standings.
More importantly, that put the Road Warriors still in the equation for the remaining quarterfinals slot while also eliminating the Bolts in the process.
However, stars must still align to NLEX favor as it prays for a Rain or Shine loss against Magnolia to forge a possible playoff for the eighth and final spot in the playoffs.
Up by nine, 84-75, a 6-0 spurt led by the duo of Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo to open the payoff period set the tone for the Kings as they erected a 15-point lead, 80-75.
Justin Arana provided some answers for Converge but Tenorio, Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger all found the mark in the ensuing plays to build the biggest lead of the contest at 22, 101-79.
Arana led the way for Converge with 23 points and eight rebounds while import Quincy Miller who was obviously bothered by the defense of Malonzo, Aljun Mariano and Christian Standhardinger, could only muster 16 points after missing out the last game.
With the loss, the FiberXers finished the eliminations on a two-game losing streak and 8-4 record in the standings.
First Game
NLEX 92 – Clark 40, Trollano 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Chua 6, Alas 6, Rosales 6, Varilla 5, Miranda 3, Nieto 0.
MERALCO 81 – McDaniels 22, Black 17, Maliksi 12, Quinto 8, Hodge 8, Banchero 7, Caram 5, Jose 2, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 23-30, 39-57, 64-71, 92-81.
Second Game
GINEBRA 115 – Brownlee 25, Malonzo 17, J.Aguilar 16, Tenorio 14, Standhardinger 13, Thompson 9, Pringle 9, Gray 7, Pessumal 3, R.Aguilar 2, Mariano 0.
CONVERGE 96 – Arana 23, Miller 16, Melecio 12, Ilagan 11, Stockton 10, Teng 10, Tratter 6, Tolomia 4, DiGregorio 2, Racal 2, Browne 0, Ambohot 0.
Quarters: 25-23, 56-48, 84-75, 115-96.
